Year’s first case surfaces in Punjab

Four-month-old Ali Hassan was diagnosed with virus

MULTAN: A child was diagnosed with polio in Lodhran just days ahead of the immunisation campaign in Punjab. However, health officials said it was first such case of 2017 in Punjab. No polio case was reported in the province in 2016.

Four-month-old Ali Hassan, son of Muhammad Afzal Baloch, was admitted to Civil Hospital 15 days back where he was diagnosed with polio.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, Afzal said, “His son was ill for last 15 days so we went to Civil Hospital, Bahawalpur for checkup.” He added, “After conducting tests, it transpired my child was suffering from polio virus.”

Meanwhile, it transpired the affected child was not administered polio vaccine.

While taking notice of the polio case, Lodhran Deputy Commissioner Raja Khurram said strict action would be taken against negligent officers of health department.

Three-day polio drive

A three-day polio campaign, in coordination with health department, will commence from February 21 across Punjab, including Bahawalpur District. During the drive, more than 5,97,900 children under the age of five will be administered immunisation vaccine.

Officials said at least 1,369 teams were constituted, including 1,077 mobile teams, 157 fixed teams in Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Civil Hospital and other health centres while 117 teams will be deputed at transit points.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20^th, 2017.